Sport Plus Dampers

[SteveC]

In most of the reviews I've read on the M5 and M5-CP the authors have always commented on the 'bone jarring' nature of the Sport Plus damping and how its only suitable for super smooth race tracks.

I spend a lot of time driving B roads in the Yorkshire Dales, which are narrow, curving and not always very evenly surfaced. In the 3,500 miles I've driven my M5 I've always used the Comfort setting, which has you bouncing around a fair bit, while the degree of body roll produces a tendency to under steer and try to run wide in corners

I started to get a bit fed up with this lack of precision, so decided to try Sport Plus for the first time, knowing that I would probably have my teeth rattled loose within a couple of miles. Hello M car....this is how the damned thing is supposed to drive. What are these people talking about? Tight, precise, very well damped, neutral, exceptional control....everything I've been missing or was vaguely disappointed with was gone, replaced by this exceptionally good handling car that felt entirely more sophisticated and sporting. I was getting bounced around a whole lot less and the car would let me pick and hold a precise line through every corner. Yes you could feel the poor road surface but I MUCH preferred the ride compared to the softer Comfort setting. My 2013 X5 MSport's ride with run flats was bone jarring.....harsh, choppy, skittish on poorly surfaced tarmac. This is nothing of the sort. It feels firmly damped and sophisticated, with good feedback through the steering and excellent body control. I always liked my Z4M and M3 for the way they provided steering precision, neutrality and driver confidence on twisting, poorly surfaced tarmac. Now my M5 feels just as good or better.

If you've been avoiding Sport Plus on less than perfect tarmac but feel your car is a little wayward in Comfort, give the full on Sport setting a try. You may well be surprised.

[MCarsFan]

My M1 and M2 modes suspension are preset for Sports + - enjoy the way the car comes alive! ..my only criticism is I feel that the handling set up in Sports + mode is too heavy for those sorts of roads.. So I keep the steering in Sports mode..

[dhirm5]

Your post inspired me to switch the Sports Plus on my CP M5 for the last couple days.

I must say, my experience mirrors your own. It's not at all bone jarring; no more than the suspension in comfort mode, and I love the feel of it. Much more precise and rewarding.

This car is so rewarding to drive in so many ways; I'm still surprised by it, despite having had it for 18 or so months. Thanks for the post.

Cheers!

[MCarsFan]

Originally Posted by dhirm5

Your post inspired me to switch the Sports Plus on my CP M5 for the last couple days.

I must say, my experience mirrors your own. It's not at all bone jarring; no more than the suspension in comfort mode, and I love the feel of it. Much more precise and rewarding.

This car is so rewarding to drive in so many ways; I'm still surprised by it, despite having had it for 18 or so months. Thanks for the post.

Cheers!

[M6-Coupe]

Happy to see you are getting more familiar and enjoying your M5... Now you see there is night and day difference between M5 and your past 1M, M3, X5 and even Z4M